Apparatus for storing and transporting golf clubs or the like



Oct. 21-, 1958 R. A. NEAVERSON ETAL 2,857,163

' APPARATUS FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING GOLF CLUBS OR THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1955 RAJvEA vsksm/ 214.4454 vsksau tlorney APPARATUS FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING GOLF CLUBS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 3, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 oat-21,1958 RA] NEAVERSQN Em 2,857 168 ttorney APPARATUS FOR STORING AND TRANSPORTING Oct. 21, 195 8 R. A. NEAVERSON ETAL 2,857,158

GOLF CLUBS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 3, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor B4 #54 verso y A ttorn ey Oct. 21, 1958 R. A. NEAVERSONxET AL 2,357,168

APPARATUS FIORVSTORING AND TfiANSRORTING GOEF CLUBS OR THE'LIKE Filed Jan. 3, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 f I l 0 Inventor 24. MFA vksm 24. ms Vbksmv y A ftorney United States Patent Rowland Alec Neaverson and Peter Anthony Neaverson,

Leicester, England Application January 3, 1955, Serial No. 479,513

Claims. (Cl. 280-36) This invention is for an approved apparatus for storing and transporting golf clubs or the like and has for an object to provide an apparatus which is convenient for use in transporting such articles and can readily be converted to occupy a small amount of space for storage purposes. Previously it has been the practice to provide caddie cars or trolleys on which the usual golf bag may be mounted for transporting it on a course and to remove the bag complete with the clubs on completion of the game and deposit it in the professionals but for attention and storage while the caddie car or trolley is stored elsewhere. As the caddie cars or trolleys occupy substantial space the problem of storing them is an acute one while the storage of golf bags is also a-matter of some difliculty owing to the space which they occupy. The invention seeks to provide a convenient and inexpensive apparatus by the use of which these difficulties may be relieved.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a container for golf clubs or the like comprising a plurality of holders each affording a row of receptacles for individual clubs or the like, which holders are anchored together with freedom for relative pivotal movement about i a common edge to permit them to be splayed apart bookwise (i. e. in the manner of the covers or pages of a book when partly opened) or closed to lie against one another. When splayed apart the holders may be linked by a detachable cross bar and provided with detachable wheels for transport and on removal of these detachable parts the holders may be closed together and will then occupy a relatively small space and be very convenient for storage. The holders are preferably of relatively flat form with openings forming the receptacles extending longitudinally within their thickness. They may be made of relatively rigid material such as Wood, metal or plastic material, for example synthetic resin or fibre glass. Each holder may be formed from a plurality of tubes attached together side by side in a row and preferably arranged substantially in a common plane. The holders may alternatively each be formed as solid plate-like blocks with longitudinal passages forming the receptacles extending alongside one another in a row within the thickness of the block or by two superposed sections or corrugated plates secured face to face with obverse recesses or corrugations affording between them passages constituting the said receptacles. Thus the holders may be extruded, moulded, pressed or machined from the solid in any suitable material. Desirably a strong light weight material is employed and for this reason a plastic material such as polythene, a light weight metal such as aluminium, or an alloy thereof, or fibre glass are preferred.

In a convenient arrangement the holders are anchored for relative pivotal movement about corresponding longitudinal edges extending approximately parallel to the receptacle for the clubs or the like. Two or more holders may be anchored to one another in this manner and may be adapted when splayed apart to be mounted on a simple Patented Oct. 21, 1958 two wheeled under-carriage with the separated longitudinal edges down-most and anchored in their appropriate positions by engagement with or attachment to a crossbar forming part of the undercarriage. A simple form of collapsible under-carriage may thus be applied to the container enabling it to be transported readily on two separately detachable wheels with the holders splayed apart as viewed endwise in V formation pointing upwards and having their lengths inclined to the vertical so that the clubs or the like project upwardly from the upper ends of the holders in convenient position for access when required.

It will be appreciated that the invention thus provides a container for the clubs or the like which can be collapsed for storage into a small space and also provide apparatus comprising such a container and a detachable or collapsible mounting for wheels to be used in conjunction therewith. Such wheel mounting may conveniently serve when required to retain the holders in splayed apart position.

Various refinements hereinafter mentioned may be supplied such as a detachable manipulating handle, a protective cover for the clubs, a shoulder strap on the container and a detachable bag assembly for accommodation of accessories and personal belongings. The latter may conveniently form a carrier for detachable wheels.

For a fuller explanation of the invention attention is directed to the accompanying drawings which illustrate by way of example a preferred form of construction and certain modifications which will now be described. In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective View of apparatus for containing golf clubs for use on a golf course;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the golf club container in collapsed position and showing a weather-proof cover and a shoulder strap;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a bag assembly with wheels attached in the dismantled condition;

Figure 4 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the closed end of the holders;

Figure 5 is an exploded view in perspective of the container; cross bar and wheel arms;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of Fig. 2, the weather-proof cover being removed;

Figure 7 is a detail view of a handle mounting;

Figures 8 and 9 are detail views showing the interior of the closed end of a clubcontainer unit illustrating two alternatives, and

Figures 10, 11 and 12 are cross sectional detail views showing alternative ways of forming the holders.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 4, the apparatus in assembled form for use on a golf course comprises a container indicated generally at 10 comprising three holders, namely an inner holder 11 and outer holders 12 in which golf clubs 13 may be supported. The holders 11 and 12 each comprise a row of tubes closed at their ends on the left of Fig. l and open at their other ends to enable the clubs to be inserted grip first with their heads protruding. These holders 11 and 12 are anchored together at their longitudinal edges which are uppermost in Fig. 1 permitting them to be splayed apart bookwise as shown most clearly in Fig. 4 in which position they are retained apart by engagement with their lower parts of a crossbar 14 forming a portion of an undercarriage having wheels 15. To the upper part of the container assembly there is attached a handle 16' by which the apparatus may be manipulated to wheel the assembly as required from place to place on a golf course. When the clubs are not required for use the apparatus may be dismantled by removing the crossbar 14 and wheels 15 as hereinafter disclosed, collapsing the container to bring its holders together as shown in Fig. 2 into convenient compass for storage, the wheels and crossbar being stored separately. Conveniently a pair of bags 17' are provided joined by a flexible strap 13 to permit them to be slung across the container pannier-wise as shown in Fig. 1 when the latter is assembled for use. When dismantled the crossbar 14 and "vheels 15 may be accommodated inand on the bags 17 as hereinafter disclosed. The container is conveniently provided with a weather-proof apron 1% to embrace the ends of the holders from which the clubs project and this may conveniently be arranged to be fastened around the clubs or unfastened to release them by a lightning fastener 29. When the container is collapsed as in Fig. 2 it may be carried on the shoulder by means of a shoulder strap 21 secured to pieces 29 hereinafter described.

The holders 11 and 12 are each composed of a group of separate tubes 22 arranged side by side in relatively flat formation and secured together at intervals by straps 23 provided with clamping screws 24. The straps 23 are connected to and spaced longitudinally by rigid strips 25, 26 and 27, the strips 25, 26 being on one side and strips 27 being on the opposite side of the row of tubes. Adjacent to the strips 27 the straps 23 are formed, as seen in Fig. 6, with bent over portions 28 joining their portions on opposite faces of the tubes and forming connections with piece 29 of rectangular form by encircling its two ends 30 and central crossbar 31. A similar hinge connection is arranged at each of the three positions at which there are straps 23. As viewed in Fig. 5 the bottom ends of the tubes 22 are closed and the upper ends are open preferably being cut at least partly at an inclination to the axis of the tubes as shown at 31 in Figs. 5 and 6. This facilitates insertion of the grips of the golf clubs. The tubes in each row are moreover graded in length with the shortest tubes uppermost in use for the same purpose. As is shown most clearly in Fig. 5 the central holder has its tubes 22 of longer extent than the tubes of the two side holders, being intended to receive longer clubs and maintain separation of the heads of the clubs in different rows.

Referring now to the detachable undercarriage construction, Figs. 1, 4 and 5 show the crossbar 14 as comprising a shorter cross strap 32 and a longer cross strap 33 which have their midportions abutting and connected by bolts 34 and their outer portions splayed apart and reinforced by welded struts 35. The central portion of the strap 32 between the bolts 34 is adapted to engage in a recess 36 in the central strip 26 and the ends of the strap 32 are arranged to be passed through slots 37 in the side strips 25 and may be shouldered if desired to limit their projection therethrough. Arms 46 on which the wheels 15 are rotatably carried may then be mounted on the crossbar 14 by being passed through slots 38 in the ends of strap 33 until their shouldered ends 41 are engaged in slots 39 in the projecting ends of straps 32. When thus engaged springy retaining latches 42 on arms ride over the extremities of strap 33 to retain the parts in assembled relation. The longitudinal positioning of the notch 36 and slots 37 approximates to the centre of gravity of the loaded container. The formation and disposition of the straps 32, 33 and wheel arms 4% provides for a wide wheel base and a low centre of gravity, whereby the apparatus has good stability when wheeled over relatively rough ground.

The handle 16 is conveniently made detachable by being remo-vably mounted in a tubular carrier 44, Figs. 1, 4, 6 and 7 secured by strips 45 welded to it and the central strip 27 near the end thereof which is to be uppermost. A releasable spring catch 46 by engagement with a peripheral groove 47 in the handle 16 serves to retain the handle in place and permits its removal when required. The weatherproof apron 19 may be anchored to the container by straps (not shown) engaging through the pivot frame 29 closest to the open ends of the tubes and preferably only extends sufficiently over the opposite edge of the container to enclose the heads of the clubs 13. It serves not only to protect the clubs ininclement weather but also to retain the clubs in the holders when in the closed position and assist in preventing rattling in transport.

The bags 17 are adapted to be slung across the splayed out holders between the wheel base and the closed end of the tubes and assist in maintaining an easy balance of the apparatus when being transported. They have handles 48 for ease of carrying in side by side relation. The dismantled crossbar 14 may be housed in one of the bags 1'7 along with the other accessories while personal belongings, weatherproof clothing, etc., may be stored in the other bag. The dismantled wheels 15 may be attached to the bags as shown in Fig. 3 with the wheel arms inserted through bridge straps 49 and brackets 50 secured to the under sides of the bags 17, being retained as shown by engagement of the springy latches 42 with the brackets 50.

At the closed ends the tubes 22 preferably contain sup porting or cushioning means for the grip ends of the clubs. Fig. 8 shows an inserted rubber or other cushioning piece 51 preferably having a central depression 52 against which the end 53 of a club 13 may bear. Fig. 9 shows an alternative arrangement having an inserted spring clip 54 in place of the rubber piece 51, the clip 54 having a central construction against which the handle 53 may bear and by which it may if desired be lightly clamped in place.

Instead of forming the holders from a plurality of separate tubes and connecting them by straps 23, the tubes may be formed as a unitary structure by being formed in one piece with joining fillets or by forming them as longitudinal apertures through a block of material. The tubes or the blocks formed with passages extending throughout are desirably formed of materials providing the necessary strength combined with lightness of weight, such as a plastic material of synthetic type, polythene being found particularly useful, or .a light weight metal such as aluminium or aluminium alloy or fibre glass. The holders may be formed of extruded tubes or of extruded sections or moulded, pressed or machined from the solid in any suitable material Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate sections of moulded, pressed or extruded alternative forms of holders. In Fig. 10 while the holder may be a solid block of the section shown it is illustrated as being formed by two smaller superposed sections 55 affording between them longitudinal apertures 56 to receive the clubs 13, the sections 55 being secured together along their longitudinal edges by clips 57. In Fig. 11 modified sections 58 are shown as held together in similar manner by screws 59 and nuts 60 at intervals along their length. The sections 58 have ribs 61 alternating with recesses 62 in which the ribs 61 of the opposing section interfit to form portions between the recesses for the clubs. Fig. 12 illustrates a modified holder formed from pressed sheet 63 with ribs or corrugations 64 and jointed together at 65 in any convenient way. The ribs or corrugations at opposed portions of the sheet are alternated to fit between one another in the manner shown to define the longitudinal club compartments.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the invention provides a convenient container for golf clubs or the like which can be collapsed for storage in a small space and can readily be transported by means of a simple undercarriage that can also be stored in a small compass. The container may form a complete substitute for the usual golf bag while the undercarriage takes the place of the usual caddy car or trolley. The apparatus can be quickly and readily assembled for use and may readily include adequate protecting means for the clubs and when in use the apparatus provides for particularly good stability with a low centre of gravity and a wide wheel base. Moreover the container is adapted for manufacture in plastic material rendering its termite free and the construction is such that the clubs are retained securely and free from damage, the grips of the clubs in particular being protected against chafing. When in use on a golf course the clubs are presented in a particularly accessible manner so that the correct club can readily be selected and afterwards replaced in its holder. When collapsed the provision of the strap 21 permits the container to be carried over the shoulder in the manner of a normal golf bag. Obviously the capacity of the bag 17 can be made to suit particular needs and one may be used for accessories and the other for clothes or other personal belongings. Although the holders in the construction shown are made each to support five clubs this number may be varied by modifying the number of compartments for clubs in the holders as may be desired.

What we claim is:

1. Apparatus for storing and transporting golf clubs comprising a container having a plurality of holders each affording a row of longitudinal receptacles for individual clubs, means for mounting said holders for relative pivotal movement about adjacent longitudinal row edges extending approximately parallel to the receptacles for the clubs, and a disengageable two-wheeled undercarriage for mounting said holders in splayed apart position with the separated longitudinal edges of the holders downmost, said undercarriage including a crossbar adapted to engage said separated longitudinal edges and anchor them in appropriate position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the undercarriage comprises mounting means for the wheels permitting such wheels to be collapsed and detached from the undercarriage when desired.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said undercarriage comprises detachable Wheel supports and latching means serving to latch the crossbar to the holders on attachment of the wheel supports.

4. Apparatus for golf clubs comprising at least three rows of tubular holders whereof each holder constitutes a receptacle for a golf club shaft, means for securing together as a unit the tubular holders of each such row, and means for pivotally mounting the rows of holders relative to one another in the manner of the leaves of a book, whereby they may be splayed apart book-wise and closed to lie against one another, a detachable undercarriage for attachment to the holders when in splayed apart position, and detachable wheel mountings associated with the undercarriage and serving when attached to retain the undercarriage on the holders while maintaining the latter in splayed apart position, the undercarriage comprising a crossbar having heightwise spaced means for supporting wheel arms at each end and means for engagement with portions of the respective holders when splayed apart and the wheel mountings each comprising a wheel arm engageable with said supporting means and serving when so engaged to retain the cross bar in engagement with the holders and latch means for securing the wheel arms in place.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said heightwise spaced support means at opposite ends of the crossbar are arranged to diverge downwardly to provide a wide wheel base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,570,500 Kennedy Ian. 19, 1926 2,047,079 MacMurray July 7, 1936 2,070,254 .Burgner Feb. 9, 1937 2,368,752 =Duis Feb. 6, 1945 2,428,954 Apblett et al Oct. 14, 1947 2,679,876 Schall June 1, 1954 2,681,232 Womack June 15, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 236,390 Great Britain July 9, 1925 692,700 Great Britain June 10, 1953 

